Fishers of Men
“I’m just a country boy from Belton, Texas,” said Tony. “I’m not the most well-versed man, I’m not the most educated man, I’m not the most qualified man, Biblically, to tell people things. But my love for God is so unbelievably strong because He has shown me the rewards of trusting in Him.”
Update: watch this video of Tony and others to see the full story.
I (Zack) tried to hide my smile behind the camera as Tony shared all this. He was recounting a conversation he had with a college student from Pakistan, who we’ll call “Omar.” Omar was one of 150 international students from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and all across Texas that had come to Lake Buchanan for a Bridges Fall Retreat. Tony was one of many ministry volunteers that took students out “jug-fishing” on the lake (pictured above).
Explains Tony: “We take a piece of foam with a fishing line on the end of it and push three hooks down with bait, and we out and we harvest fish. But more importantly, as time goes, we harvest people.”
Of all the spiritual conversations he initiated, Tony was most impacted by his talks with Omar: “He felt so much love on the boat, that he was literally confused about why it was that he met us – individuals that love Christ. He asked me, ‘Would it be ok if you and I talked to God and ask God to forgive me for where I have been in my life?’”
This made Tony a bit choked up: “I’ve done a lot of amazing things. I’m very blessed, despite any hardships I’ve had. But having him hug me and call me ‘Uncle Tony’ shows me that Jesus died for a reason.”
In Bridges, we love to give people like Tony the chance to minister to students, like Omar, who have come here from across the world.
A Party in Heaven for Miah
One afternoon, Miah and I (Naomi) were working on her AWANA’s memory verse, Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Miah and I talked about what we “earn” for sinning is eternal death (spiritual separation from God). But the gift that God gives us is eternal life in Heaven. With great vulnerability, Miah said, “I’m not sure that I am going to Heaven.” Miah had prayed to “give her sins to Jesus” when she was three years old, but she didn’t remember it. So we talked through the basics of the gospel, and that this is simply a gift. All you have to do is take a gift. You don’t have to “earn” it or work for it.
Miah was ready to ask Jesus in her heart. So I asked her, “Miah, do you have sin in your life?” She said yes. So I told her to tell Jesus that. Then I asked her, “Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?” She said yes and told Jesus that, too. “Do you want Him to be your Savior and save you from your sins?” Yes! After she prayed there were tears…in both of our eyes. I told her that the angels were having a party in Heaven to celebrate!
She said with great joy, “Yes. They are celebrating because today is the day I became a Christian!” That evening, she, Zack and her sisters went to a kid’s worship album release party at our church (pictured above, in the header). She got to have a party worshipping Jesus with hundreds of other kids, just like the party in Heaven that was happening for her. She wants to get baptized soon as well.
Upcoming
Zack will be in Orange County, California from 10/25-10/28 for Cru’s Creative Arts Guild. It’s the annual gathering of “missionary artists” – designers and filmmakers on staff with Cru – to foster community and further our professional development.
Praise Reports
• 150 international students came to the Fall Retreat in Central Texas and heard the Word of God clearly.
• Miah clearly understands the gospel and received Christ!
Prayer Requests
• For effective, continued evangelism with Omar, and also for his safety as he looks more into Christ’s Word.
• For all the students who came to the Retreat to take the next step of faith.
• Miah to grow strong in her new life in Christ.